Tuesday I woke up feeling very refreshed after nearly 12 hours of sleep. I was so surprised that it was 8am when I was stirred awake by my cell phone receiving texts from Rhonda about James having an earache. She wanted to know how we would handle it so he could go to sleep. After filling her in, David and I both headed downstairs to have breakfast and coffee.
It was another family day for us. We took it easy and headed to the community mall for lunch, and to see what it was like. On our way in, we had to walk through metal detectors, and bags and purses were check out by security guards. Once in it looked like any other american multi-story mall, except for the fact that it was open walled. So the stores had walls and doors, but on the two ends of the mall, there weren’t walls, just balcony type areas, just like you’re walking across a bridge.
We headed to the basement to go to one of the Clinch’s favorite little shops to hit up for a cheap, but tasty meal. It was our first experience of the attention that Layani draws whenever she is out and about. If you don’t know, Layani is this adorable blond haired, bright blue eyed little spunky girl, but she’s only about 2. She is very into looking at the Christmas displays that the mall still had up, so she and I hung around outside the restaurant for a little while looking at a some colorfully wrapped presents under a tree. While there, a few people stood back and just stared at her, some took pictures of her without asking. Monica shared with me later that a lot of people believe that having a picture of a white child will bring you good luck in life.
She eventually got tired of people staring at her, or she was missing her mom, so we headed into the restaurant where we went up some narrow stairs and sat in the upstairs section which happened to have a wall covered in a Barbie mural. Chris said anything that Indians deem as American is what they decorate with.
We ordered some of their favorite foods for us to try, David ordered some Chicken Fried Rice and I ordered a “Egg Chicken Wrap” which is basically an Indian chicken taco, but instead of being wrapped in a tortilla, it was wrapped in an egg pancake. The food was yummy, but I think I just really enjoyed eating at the same table as my brother and his family.
After we finished lunch we headed to a coffee and smoothie place that is owned and operated by another set of folks just trying to share the gospel. The kids and Monica shared a couple smoothies, and David and I each got a Caramel Macchiato, his was cold and mine was hot. Both were very tasty.
As we left the cafe, some teenages wanted to get a picture with Layani, Monica asked her if she wanted her picture taken with them, and she said a cute little “No.” and just continued on her way. It was so funny to hear the teens call out, “Please? She’s so cute!” and Ani just continue walking away.
Then we headed home where we put Layani down for a nap, a movie on for the other two kids, and the adults sat down for a couple rounds of Rummy Kub and good conversation.
Dinner that night was taco bowls with an Indian flare of course! Fun times around the table where I let Layani play with my hair some more, and we just talked. We finished the night out with bedtime for kids followed by movie night for parents and then hit the sack.
Or that was the plan anyway… That earache of James’ that I mentioned earlier? Yeah it had gotten worse, so I agreed with Rhonda’s decision to take James to go see her Doctor that day. We also FaceTimed with the boys to see how they were and to tell them that we loved them. They all seemed to be doing just fine. I asked her to keep me posted.
*We saw Indian sized servings for the first time. They are bigger servings, but you’ll see this “American sized single serving” feed a table of 4.
*At this time of the year, we were 10.5 hours ahead of EST, So Rhonda was texting me during her evening/night, and I would be just waking up or having coffee. The reverse was true too, I would check in with her as we were going to bed to check how the night went for her.
That Monday started early. Chris and David got up at 6:30am and went to play soccer with the local men’s team while I got up and went down stairs and found Tekoa back in the kitchen working on his lego set, so I sat and I helped him finish it. Monica came down after a little while and she and I had coffee together and waited for the boys to come home, after which she graced us all with omelets for breakfast.
We were able to take the morning kinda slow, just bonding as family, playing with the kids and chit chatting about life. More in depth than can truly take place over Skype or FaceTime. This was about the time that Layani started to realize that “Aunt” Steph isn’t like the other “aunties” she has in India. Aunt Steph actually says no, and follows through with mom and dad’s instructions. So she clung to David off and on that day.
At 11am, after Monica let me raid her closet for a Curta, which is a longer Indian shirt, and David borrowed a button down shirt from Chris, we all loaded up into their car to head to a local village where a dear friend and his family live.
This was our first experience driving into the villages of India. This is where the look and feel of poverty is. You see trash lining the roads while kids dig through it. Some people living in shacks made from scrap wood and metal. Sticks of Bamboo stuck into the ground as fences, and dogs everywhere. You see men and women, (with their children around them) in the riverbed smashing rocks to different sizes that are used for different products, (cement houses, gravel and paving roads, and making walls) and then carrying load after load in baskets up a ramp and into trucks. They do this all day for just a few rupees a day.
Sammy and his wife welcomed us into their home and he was excited to show us the school that he and 5 other teachers work at, right on his property. The school has only been around for about a year and a half, but it has nearly 100 students. They are a private Christian school so families pay to send their kids daily, and have them learn the academics as well as about the gospel, isn’t that AWESOME?!?
We were there in time to see the old school, which wasn’t more than a long metal garage separated into different areas by ropes and sheets of fabric, and the new school that is currently being built just on the other side of Sammy’s property. The Lord has been working over there and to have the finances to move to a cement school with 5 classrooms on the first floor, with more floors a possibility, is so amazing!
The metal sided schoolhouse.
Benches and curtains used to separate classes.
Bamboo used as braces.
Chris telling me a bit of the history of the school.
After the tour of the new building, we had fun watching Aida and Tekoa slide down a dirt hill using cardboard as a sled. From the top of the hill we saw some tea farms, some goats, and a friendly game of cricket going on among the village children. We had to cut the sledding short when Chris found some broken glass bottles at the bottom of the hill, right where the kids were landing.
We then went back to the house and David took photos of the children at the school to print out and give to the parents because not everyone has a camera over there or can afford to have photos taken. Watching the kids just stand there looking at david not sure what to do, many of them didn’t smile. Sammy’s son, Adam*, was all about cheesing it up for the camera though. I think he’s had a lot of experience with spending time with Chris, Monica, and the rest of the team.
David in his element.
Mary*, Sammy’s wife, then announced that lunch was ready so we all went in to sit and eat. The rooms in traditional Indian village houses are not like the low-income houses we have here. Here you can expect to find a livingroom, diningroom, kitchen, bathroom, and 2-3 bedrooms. There you walk into the living room, but it is also the dining room, and it is long and narrow, almost like an entryway. The bathrooms are usually outside the houses, and not supplied with toilet paper or a wash basin. The kitchens, even though they are used nearly all day, they’re not very big. They have gas stovetops, and no microwaves, So leftovers are either eaten cold or you have to heat it back on the stove. The water that comes into the house isn’t safe to drink, but most people can’t afford a water purification system, so they have to deal with the issues that come with drinking dirty water.
A simple setting makes it feel more like home.
She’s actually happy to be sitting on David’s Lap.
Homemade Indian yummy-ness!
(Our first seatmate told us while growing up in India he had developed a tolerance to the water. After moving to America he kept getting sick and not feeling well so he went to the doctor and he told him of this parasite he had in his digestive track that he needed to get removed if he wanted to get better. So he got the parasite removed and lives pain free in the US, but now whenever he comes back home, to India, he can’t be as free with drinking the water or eating the awesome street food like he used to. He was pretty bummed about that.)
The lunch was amazing! Chris had served me my first dish full of food since I was playing with Koa, he did a great job giving me a plateful of the hot food. When I was done I went back to get more, and try the fresh veggie salad. He told me later that he didn’t serve me the fresh stuff because of Mary not having a water purifier so all the veggies were washed in the regular tap water. So we kinda shrugged our shoulders and said “oh well, we’ll just have to see if it affects my stomach.” The rice, dahl (a dish made from lentils, pronounced ‘doll’), veggie salad, and the chicken curry dish were so good, many compliments went to the chef, who, according to Indian tradition didn’t eat until we were all done eating, Monica shared this fact beforehand, so when I went back for seconds I didn’t take much, I wanted to make sure that Mary would have enough food for herself.
After lunch we were able to pass along a gift for the school from our church, followed by tea with the family. On our way out the door, Sammy invites David and I to see the progress on the school that had happened just during that day. So we walked over, and saw that more of the bamboo and plywood framing had been completed for the ceiling of the first floor. When we had gone over earlier there were only 2 guys working. Sammy told us that the other men from the crew were at a different construction site removing the bamboo sticks to bring over and use at his site. Since that time, 3 more workers had shown up with the bamboo and it was just going to be another day or two before they could pour the cement and have a roof. How exciting!
On the drive home, out of the village, we saw children of all ages walking home from school on partially black topped roads, most of them were wearing uniforms and had backpacks or bags for their books. Some had shoes, most had at least sandals. We also stopped by a little roadside store and picked up some thick blankets because the nights are a bit chilly in winter, they don’t have any way of heating their houses, and everything is made out of tile, concrete, and metal.
Monica made dinner for us again, then we decided to watch a movie. So we went upstairs and spread out in their TV room, which also doubles as their office. I got to cuddle with Aida while Koa was snuggled up with his dad, and Layani was going back and forth between mom and David. I tapped into my “Clinch” blood and fell asleep while watching the movie, both Chris and I. Jetlag was still plaguing me I guess, so after the movie I crashed, it was only 9:30!
*The names are not theirs. I am remaining discreet in my details to keep my family and new friends safe.
**About 65 Indian Rupees equals 1 American Dollar.
**Meeting Sammy and his family was such an honor. We had heard about them and have been praying for them for the past 2 years, so to meet them in person was so exciting for me. It made the whole “brother moving to India” a real thing. My family and friends haven’t been over here doing nothing, they’re doing great things in the name of the Lord.
**Even though the kids were living in less than ideal conditions, they were happy. The way that they were playing together was just like looking into a typical american small town life. Kids running around, organizing their own games, and laughing.
**Watching life happen there was something that I will never forget. I am an American and It’s in my core to think that these people need saving, because of the way that they live. If only we came and built this, or if only we can and provided this for these people. How about automating this or that. Then I am reminded that this is the way that they’ve been living for years. Coming in to rescue them and fix physical things isn’t the answer. Their hearts have to be changed. Their minds are stuck on the traditions and the caste system through their religion that they can’t be free from those thoughts unless Christ is revealed to them. Then, THEN changes can come and be permanent.
Even born again natives succumb to the traditions and superstitions from their old religions. It was a freeing experience to hear that Mary doesn’t even usually sit with guests while they eat with her husband, thankfully she did grace us with her presence while we were there. This is a Christian couple, but tradition is so ingrained that the freedom in Christ takes some time to fully be understood. We continue to pray for movement of the Holy Spirit in this family, and the others around them for whom they are setting an example.
Day two started with continental breakfast at the hotel with a shuttle to Dulles Airport following. When we got there we were able to brighten an information booth guys morning by asking him where we check in with Emirates Airlines, he was so happy to help us, his friendliness made an impact on my morning there at the airport. Going around the corner of the kiosks for checking in, we see this long line of mostly Asian looking folks, that was our first experience of being the minority on our trip, there were many more to come.
Poor lighting, I’m sorry.
We stood in line for half an hour during which I decided to use my free time and grab labels from the Emirates display rack and label all of our luggage, that took me about 10 minutes, filling our names, address, phone, and email for 6 luggage tags.
When it came to our turn to check in for our flights, we walk to the counter, passports in hand as well as my printout of my e-visa confirmation, the lady checks David in, no problem, then she’s looking at my sheet, and my passport and says that we have the wrong paper, we needed to have printed out a different email. <cue mini mental freak out for me!> I start searching on my phone for the email, it was too far back on my list so I had to log onto the email site… boy, my phone seemed to be working really slowly. <still panicking a little, and feeling really dumb> I almost had it when David says “I’ve got it!” <WHEW!!> He was able to give her the numbers she needed, she checked me in and we were able to check all our 6 suitcases through to Delhi, because they did luggage by weight, not number of bags.
Getting through Security was interesting. There was more than one set of metal detectors to go through, removing shoes, jackets (hoodies), and electronics as usual, and we had to keep our tickets and passports available for multiple checks just trying to get to our gate. I’m thankful we both had pants on that had pockets on the side of the leg so we could store our papers but still have quick access to them. We made it through security and walked toward our gate, with a stop at Starbucks of course, we sat at our terminal to wait for the boarding to begin.
The plane that was taking us to Dubai was a two level plane, just huge! We were impressed with the size of the seats, the inflight entertainment options, and the amazing food selection for lunch, breakfast, and snacks. We had 15 hours of flight time to kill, our goal was to try and get our bodies on India time so after lunch and a movie, we went to bed when it started to get dark, with the help of some Tylenol PM. I had the window seat, so I put the blanket and pillow up against the window and dozed off. After an hour I woke up thinking, “oh I should put my hoodie on so I can stay warm and cozy and sleep better.” After digging around in my backpack, I came to realize that I had left my hoodie while going through security. That was a bummer of a moment, because the hoodie had been an anniversary gift from David on our 4 year anniversary. <I made a mental note to check the lost and found when we got back to the US, it was a long shot, but I wanted to try.>
David and I were seated next to a native Indian gentleman who was going home for a week of weddings to attend. When we got closer to Dubai I asked him if he had some suggestions for us to battle against jet lag. He said that he typically tries to stay awake after he arrives at his destination until it’s a reasonable bedtime, and then he sleeps and stays in bed until his family starts their day.. He also said that for him it is much harder to come back to the states and get over jet lag than actually going to India. He’s useless for 4-5 days after he returns from India. (Since we’ve got lives to live back at home, we’re hoping that’s not the case for us!) “Don’t drink the water” he warned us before we parted.
When we arrived in Dubai, we went straight to our gate, no having to go through customs or go through security again. For this connection we didn’t have to wait long to continue our trip.
Our seatmate for this second leg of our trip was a young Indian man who lives in the UK and does Virtual Infrastructure Design for a supermarket chain, he was pretty stoked to meet and chit chat a little with David, and when I, very proudly, shared about David’s VCDX status, he was taken aback that he sat next to someone on an airplane who knew so much about VMWARE!! While we were chatting I asked him if he could tell me in layman’s terms what BREXIT was all about. He was happy to share to the best that he could with very ‘colorful’ language what it was all about. He also apologised to us for our election results in November. HA HA HA!! He was also cautioning us about drinking the water while in India.
On arrival in Delhi we had to go through customs. I stayed in line with David for a half hour only to be told that I had to go through a different line because I had an e-visa. So I move to another line while David went to a currency exchange counter. This line that I was in was so lonely. There were many other people there, mostly Asians, there was a group of Americans ahead of me, but they were their own group, so I didn’t say anything, and not knowing if the others around me knew english I just stood quietly. Instead of playing a game or listening to music on my phone I decided to listen to the customs counter people. I noticed that they did not smile. They barely spoke. So I made up my mind that when I got up there I was going to be this cheery red-headed-american and try and bring a smile to whomever was helping me. When I was motioned over by someone I went up to the counter, big grin, cheery disposition, passport and e-visa paper in hand and said a happy “Hi! How are you?”
Nothing. Not even a smile in return from the customs officer folks. Everything he needed me to do, he motioned with his hands. I wasn’t asked why I was coming to India, I wasn’t asked where I was coming from, I wasn’t asked what I was bringing into the country. All the prep and worry in the hotel two nights before seemed not to be needed. After my turn ended I passed by him with a smile, and went on my way. I was stopped again for another passport and visa check before I got through to baggage claim with David. THAT guy responded with a smile and a “Welcome to India!”
David met me at the baggage claim after only being able to exchange $80 american dollars to Indian Rupees. We then walked out of the airport where we were met with a smell of spices and herbs. I can’t really explain it. The air just had this smell to it, and it wasn’t a bad, smoggy smell; you can get close to the experience if you go into an Indian grocery store. I loved it right away.
Outside we were expecting a van from Holiday Inn Express to be there, just waiting. We were wrong. I should have made arrangements with the hotel before we left, you know letting them know our flight number and arrival date and time. But since I didn’t, David had to brave our first experience with being a minority in a foreign land, not knowing the language, he had to use a payphone, and by payphone I mean a man who was standing next to 3 phones who would dial the number for you, wait for someone to pick up on the other end and then hand you the phone. David told me about his experience, not being able to hear the person on the other end because they were speaking very softly compared with the noise of being right outside the airport. I asked if he was sure he passed along the message, and he wasn’t 100% confident that he had. Then a gentleman from inside the airport motioned us through the windows that someone would be there very soon. So I guess David’s message got through to the right people!
The hotel was less than a mile away from the airport so it was a short drive over. Once arriving our luggage was scanned (all 6 bags and 2 backpacks), and we had to go through metal detectors to even get into our hotel. After all that hubbub, we were checked in and our stuff was taken to our room for us. David tried to get more money exchanged at the hotel, but they were only able to get us about $30 to Rupees.
We got to our room and my brother is so excited to have us in the same timezone, so he started texting David hints to help with jet lag… “Don’t sleep.” ha ha ha!! It was 4:30pm Local time and we had been awake for nearly 30 hours by that point with little bits of sleep on the flight over. I thought to myself “Just give me 2 hours, then we can do dinner and watch something, then I’ll be good.” David didn’t let me fall asleep completely, so I actually got up at 6:20pm and I was grumpy at him for not letting me sleep.
We went down to the beautiful dining room and were told that the dinner buffet wasn’t being opened until 7pm but we were welcome to wait. So we just sat watching the cooks and waiters, we had some bottled water. The buffet was amazing and I was so excited about all the different types of Indian foods available, except my tummy wasn’t on Indian time yet, so I didn’t eat as much as I wanted to because I felt wishy-washy.
I was not the most awake person. But the food sure was good.
When we were finished eating, we paid the bill and just enjoying small talk and people watching. David asked the waiter if there was a way he could get a Coca-cola can to take back home, the waiter said he’d see what he could do. A few minutes later he came back bearing 2 cans of coke for us, David asked how much he owes, and the waiter said “My gift to you. Thank you.” We were both very thankful. Then headed back to our room for some mindless TV and sleep.
We didn’t make it watching TV, we crashed, until about 5:30am when we both started stirring in bed because our bodies were telling us it was time to be up. We fought it until 6:30 then we decided that it was time to get up and going, we’d do better being early at the airport anyway. So we both showered and packed our stuff, and headed down with our luggage for breakfast. The breakfast was a great combination of Traditional Indian breakfast foods, and american and european style pastries. With our tummies still off, we had a small, light breakfast with one of the BEST little cups of coffee we’ve had in our lives. WAY better than our weekly Starbucks, by far!
We were driven back to the airport and had to have our flight information and our passports available to the security guy to look at before we were even allowed into the airport. I’m glad that David had made copies of all of our travel documents before we left the states! Once inside we found the Air India check in counter and stood in line again. After about 15 minutes we were called to the counter but this time we could only check 4 out of 6 suitcases, because of the smaller plane or something. We left the line and were headed to security when David realized that he had left his Leatherman in one of the suitcases we decided to keep with us, So he went back to the check in counter to try and catch our luggage before it went through, but he was too late, so we had to arrange for another bag to be checked, which we had to pay for. While he went and did that, I looked over at the line for security and noticed that it was just getting longer and longer, so I went over and moved up with the line until I was a few people from going through then I just stood there, letting people pass me until David walked around and under some barricades to meet me in line.
Making our way through security once again started with our tickets and passports, then on to the metal detectors. We were shuffled to the end line with several other men who kinda just shoved their ways passed us and cut in line. We didn’t know enough to say anything, and we weren’t running late so we just kinda went with it. But then someone native spoke up after we had like 5 guys in a group just try and shove their way through, putting their stuff on the conveyor belt right in front of our stuff and standing there. We then became part of the group of complainers because someone had said something about it. HA HA HA!
After we made it to the front of the conveyor belt line with our stuff put on it, I had to step out of this line and make my way to a different line that was for women. This line and the women in this line weren’t any better, there was cutting and pushing here too. I stood in this line for nearly 30 minutes before I got to walk through the metal detectors and then be waved over with a wand in a little booth set aside for women. Men were able to be ‘wanded’ (is that a word?) out in the open and so their line went really quickly. Our line was backed up because airport personnel would just bring in grandma ladies in wheelchairs and cut right in front, and since those ladies weren’t traveling alone, their travel companions had to go through the detectors right after them.
Again, me being an american, and not knowing an ounce of their language said nothing, I let the older ladies pass and their helpers without complaint. Then I looked at my watch. We were to start boarding soon, so I became a bit more bold. I stopped letting people in, and I stayed as close to the lady in front of me so no one could ‘cut’ in front. David had grabbed my backpack and headed to our gate by this point, so he could ‘hold the plane’ for me if needed. After I got my turn, I greeted the lady in the booth, she asked where I was from and chit chatted a little while she waved me down. That was a nice change. Once done and out of the booth, I started to run to my gate. I got there, and they had changed the gate to the next one over. I was so set on this being my gate that I didn’t see David dancing up and down the aisle to get my attention. HA HA HA!!
I walked over to him, out of breath, and he said “do you want a coffee?” I was all “wha!?” He said “you passed a Starbucks on your way, should I get us some coffee? It doesn’t look like our plane is even here yet.” (Does the man even have to ask??) So he strolls off down the walkway leaving me, panting, and I kid you not, less than 5 minutes after he leaves I hear them announce the beginning of the boarding for our flight! I’m thinking it’ll be okay, they just started the boarding, David has at least 15 minutes. Another 5 minutes pass and the guy comes on the intercom and says “Last boarding call for…” I kinda took a double take at the guy at the counter. Seriously? Last boarding call? You just started boarding!! He made the announcement again, so I walk up to the counter and say “My husband is here, he’s just getting coffee.” they ask for his number so they can call him, I respond “his phone doesn’t work here.” So I just stand there and every minute or so they ask, “Is he coming?” I just shake my head and say “not yet.”
Those were some worrisome minutes for me, afraid that they were really just going to have us miss this flight and be delayed getting to our family in Bagdogra another day. Finally I catch a glimpse of this crazy white guy carrying 2 drinks and a bag in his hands running to our gate, I said “I see him, he’s right there.” and laugh. I show them my boarding pass and start walking down the ramp carrying both of our backpacks.
You know what? We weren’t even the last to board.
We had finally boarded our last flight before I got to see my family. I was so excited! Our seat mate this time wasn’t talkative, he kind of just bunkered down to doze off for the 2 hour flight. Since we didn’t have on board entertainment, David and I watched a movie off of his phone. We were shocked to be served lunch on a 2-hour flight, we’re so used to american flights where you are lucky to get drink service on a flight that short.
DIY inflight entertainment.
We soon landed in Bagdogra, and my heart starts pumping fast. I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning to come so I can finally see my gifts. HA! The airport itself isn’t big, so the plane that we had flown in on had to ‘park’ away from the gates and we had to walk. We walked in and straight to baggage claim where, on the other side of the metal barriers were my brother, and family. I got to give hugs to Aida and Tekoa right away but my littlest niece, who was just 4.5 months old when they left and only having seen me on a screen, wasn’t so sure about me. But after David collected the luggage, she was smitten with him.
I was super excited to see my family.
We walked out of the airport, no customs, or security this time, and to their parking lot. We loaded up all of our luggage and then loaded into their vehicle. When we got into the car, Layani was comfortable enough with me to sit on my lap for a few miles, but then she moved to “Unca David” for the rest of the ride. While Chris drove, Monica warned us that we may see people using the side of the road for doing their ‘business’, so be ready to avert our eyes. We didn’t see any, thankfully.
Being driven around in India is JUST like you see it in the movies. Cars, buses, rickshaws, cows, bicycles, and people all trying to get somewhere at the same time. No one is afraid to push through or pass you when you don’t think there’s enough room. For some reason I wasn’t afraid while being driven around, maybe it’s because I kinda expected it because of having conversations with those who had been in the middle east and experienced it.
We made it back to their house, and lugged all of our stuff inside. Aida had given up her room for us to stay in while we were there, so we took our bag and backpacks up and left the other 5 bags down stairs for they were full of stuff for the family. We got some water, had a cup of coffee and talked for a few minutes to decompress from our flights. Next thing I know we’re in the living room and the opening of the suitcases has begun.
Our own mosquito net.
It was like Christmas morning, and the saying “a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” Family and friends from America sent gifts and needs for my brother and his family. David had packed them all well into the suitcases, but we didn’t keep track of what was in each, so he’d pull one up to open it and sometimes to kids would be super excited, but then other times it was just full of clothes.
After the fun and chaos of opening the stuff had subsided, Monica made us Indian Broccoli Chicken and rice for dinner. We then started a game of Monopoly and Monica started helping Tekoa build one of his lego sets. After a while she left and I continued helping him build on his set, while playing monopoly with Aida and having Layani brush my hair; I was in Aunt heaven being able to spend quality time with my nieces and nephew without them or I being pulled away by my own kids.
We looked at the clock and called it quits at 10:30pm, I think I was kinda zombied out. We found out as we were putting the kids to bed that Monica had gone upstairs to use the baby doppler that was sent over from her sister to hear the baby’s heartbeat for the first time. That was exciting for all of us. Sending the kids off to bed with a giant squeeze made my day. We made it to bed by 11pm that night.
It felt like home.
To be continued…
*It was such an honor to be able to take all of the gifts over to them. The love that people here in the states have for them in India is so moving that it is a continued encouragement to my heart for them while they are there. So thank you for giving.
I can’t count how many times those questions have been asked over the past 3 and a half weeks. Too many friends have come to me and said they wanna hear all about it, that I know I’ll never have the time to meet with them, even in groups, to talk about it.
So here it goes:
Preparations for our trip started last year about this time, but at that time I was working out the quirks in our schedule to allow David to go alone. He was in the midst of working towards his VCDX for VMWARE, and I was thinking it might be a good chance for him to step back and take a much needed break.
After coming close to picking out dates and starting the Visa application, David received a call from his mother which changed our plans and his life. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer and was given 3-6 months to live. Needless to say, with the uncertainty of her passing looming over our heads, we decided that India would have to wait.
9 months later, after having said a sad good-bye to his mother, but knowing she’s in the presence of her savior, and having achieved his VCDX, I once again was starting to look for a good time for him to go. I submitted his paperwork, and got his official visa and starting talking to our family in India about the best time to come. One night while Skyping, my brother shyly asks “Why isn’t Stephanie coming?” I told him that I hadn’t renewed my passport and the Visa would take too long after having to wait for my passport. David turns to me and says “Why don’t you go do your passport and get an e-visa just for our trip?” I hemmed and hawed and came back “What about our kids?”
A day later a wonderful friend came up to me after youth group and said “I’ve been speaking with your brother and sister and gotta ask, why aren’t you going?” I started saying “Well, our kids…” she stopped me and said “Don’t let your kids be the excuse for you not to go. We’ll take them!” So I went home that night and mentioned it to David and he said “why don’t you go ahead and get your passport renewed and get a Visa so we can both go.”
So I did.
3 weeks and 3 days ago we began our first India adventure, with more to follow, Lord willing.
We started our trek by loading up 10 suitcases, 6 backpacks, 5 sets of winter clothes, and driving to Kittanning to drop off our 3 boys at Rhonda’s house, the friend who said that she’d take the kids. Upon pulling out of their driveway we realized that we had forgotten to grab the cash that we had pulled out of the bank to take with us to India. We called Tyler, who was watching our house and dog while we were away, and had him meet us with the cash in Harmer before we jumped on the highway.
Luggage for 5 kids, gifts for India, and our own carry-ons.
The trip to Fredericksburg, VA to drop meet with my sister in law, Megan, who was taking our girls while we were gone, was mostly uneventful except for a weird noise we were hearing from the engine, it didn’t sound too bad so we decided to make a mental note to get the van into the shop shortly after our return home.
We met at a gas station, and boy! excitement was in the air from both my girls, my nephews, and Megan about spending the next two weeks together. David checked the fluids in the van while we got gas, just to make sure the noise wasn’t something simple. Then we drove back to Dulles to stay the night at a hotel.
We checked into our hotel, talked about what we were going to say to the immigration officers about the purpose of our trip, and made a short Walmart list. It was close to dinner time so we went to our car, started it and were startled at the loud sound coming from our front end, this time it seemed like something that needed to be taken care of before we headed back home on a 5 hour drive. So while I was in Walmart getting the few things on our list, David called around and found a mechanic who would be willing to examine our van, fix the problem and hold our vehicle for 2 weeks. We are so thankful that we found one!
We drove to Dulles Auto Clinic, explained our problem, dropped the keys and then ordered an Uber to take us and our 6 bags of luggage back to the hotel. We walked around the area to try and get some dinner, but all the places were closed, or no longer in business. While out walking David realised that we were in the same business area that he was in a year ago for work, he just stayed at a different hotel in the area.
On our way back to the hotel, we were walking together in the light of a full moon, we wanted to get a picture of the beautifulness of it, but only had our phones, and the lighting wasn’t quite right, so we snapped a photo just to remember.
That night we ordered in Italian for dinner, we split a wonderful Chef salad a yummy Stromboli, and watched a movie while trying to calm our hearts and heads about our trip…
This is still the musings of the Burtons in Southwestern PA, but we moved our site to WordPress* so we wouldn’t have to maintain the back-end part of a website any longer. You SHOULD be seeing more content and on a regular basis from now on. We’ve got exciting things going on in the Burton house and we want to keep track of our journeys, and by doing that we get to share it with you.
